EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana opens its 2006 men's and women's cross country season Friday when it hosts the USI Alumni Opener. Teams competing with the Screaming Eagles in Friday's meet include Southeast Missouri State University, Spalding University (women only), Bellarmine University, Kentucky Wesleyan College, and Rend Lake College.

USI's women will count on their veterans this fall. Senior Missy Burgin (Sellersburg, Indiana) is one of the top contenders for the GLVC individual title in 2006, while sophomore Allison Shafer (Plainville, Indiana) was the GLVC Freshman of the Year after finishing 10th at the conference championships in 2005.

While Burgin and Shafer will compete, individually, for a conference title in October, Head Coach Mike Hillyard expects sophomore Christy Dixon (Owensboro, Kentucky) to push both runners for the top spot in October after an injury hampered her freshman season.

USI's men are looking to repeat as GLVC champions as they return three of their top four runners from last year in senior Rey Alvarez (Danville, Illinois), junior Paul Jellema (Dyer, Indiana), and Tim Sirbek (Hammond, Indiana). Alvarez, Jellema, and Sirbek, also represent three of the top four returning individuals from the 2005 GLVC Championship.

Alvarez was second at the 2005 GLVC Championships a year ago while Jellema and Sirbek were fifth and sixth, respectively, at the league meet in 2005. Sirbek also was the GLVC Freshman of the Year for his effort.